This subject was discussed over in the Kioti forum but I just wanted to make sure it's the same for Mahindra. I just want to confirm that all 3 point hitches are meant to float. As I recall, I can pull it up, albeit slowly with resistance...but this is with the tractor turned off, don't think I've tried with it running. But this float is not like the FEL that has a notch at full forward with the joystick that produces a real free float. My neighbor has a larger John Deere and he said the hitch has the full down notch float like my FEL does. Are we basically talking about 2 different kinds of floats here? One that has no real resistance (in the case of the FEL) and one that behaves more like a screen door shock...on the 3pt hitch? Is this possibly an option on other tractors, which explains my neighbors JD?
3 point hitch float
- Thread starter RedRock
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beenthere
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Most all 3 ph do float (meaning no down pressure). Gravity lets the arms go down, and oil pressure will raise them up. Some mention that some tractor models do have down pressure, but don't think your Mahindra does.
LAWALLSTRACTOR
Veteran Member
Mahindra's 3 PH is just like 99% of the tractors out there, and has no down pressure.
Redneck in training
Elite Member
Some tractors designed for construction work (backhoe) have downforce 3PH and no PTO.
OP
RedRock
Silver Member
I guess I'm still curious though if and when I ever upgrade to a bigger tractor if any come with a float option similar to what my neighbor described, behaving as if the implement was just being pulled behind on wheels. Unless I'm mistaken, there is a bit of resistance, albeit slow on any upward pressure, right? Or can this be controlled at all with the Hitch Lowering Speed knob to fast?
Are you sure you're not talking about 'draft' rather than 'float'?
jlsmith
Veteran Member
Yea i think he is talking about his draft control also.
OP
RedRock
Silver Member
You know how the joystick on the Mahindra FEL has the float notch at full forward on the joystick? My neighbor said his JD has the exact same thing if he pushed the hitch lever past the first stop at the bottom of the hitch control lever. It's an older JD for sure, and not a compact either.
after reading now about draft control http://www.tractorsmart.com/main/Tractor Three Point Lift Types.htm this must be exactly what he's talking about... I just hadn't heard the term Draft Control yet. THanks
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LAWALLSTRACTOR
Veteran Member
None the less, there is never any down pressure.
Mahindra One
Member
Ok, I'm new and stupid. Just what is the "float" position on my Mahindra FEL for? How is it different from just lowering the bucket? Also, am I to understand that there is no down pressure on the FEL just like the 3ph?
OP
RedRock
Silver Member
Steady forward pressure on the joystick should put down pressure, i.e., raising the front wheels at some point. Just past the full forward is another notch, that's float for the FEL. I used it a lot when back dragging a pile of crusher to level a pad. Different angle of attack on the bucket will produce different results. I think it's probably easier on the hydraulics if you use it when shutting down for the day too.
skipmarcy
Veteran Member
Sandusky told it right - floating the bucket while back-dragging a final grade can make it nice & pretty, just feather the tilt (curl cylinders) on your bucket while in float detent to get the results you want, the float only floats the loader arms(lift cylinders), not the curl - the bucket should stay curled where you put it with the joystick. About a 1/2 bucket full of material in the bucket for weight can move a little more material if needed. Once you get good with that and your boxblade, you'll be able to doze materials in reverse with your boxblade and have your bucket floating "behind" you and avoid alot of the washboard alot of guys get when spreading materials with a tractor. Yes, when not in float your FEL has as much down pressure as you put on it - up to the weigh of the front of your tractor when it comes off the ground. Your 3ph does not have any down pressure hydraulically at all - strictly the weight of the arms and linkages and any implement you have attached - completely different type of hydraulic system & control.
Mahindra One
Member
I recently purchased a 4025 and have a complete lack of knowledge regarding this "float" thing. The two posts under this thread are the most info I have found so far. Can either of you point me to someplace that will explain it in more detail. It sounds like something I need as I do a lot of road grading.
Thanks
Thanks
LAWALLSTRACTOR
Veteran Member
Your 3PH does not have down pressure, but your loader does, but also your loader can be put in the float position, so there is no down pressure. You push your loader joy stick forward and you have down pressure, but if you push it a little further it will lock into float mode.
Mahindra One
Member
Interesting. So, if I understand you, in the float position, the loader basically acts like the draft on the 3PH. Wouldn't the weight of the bucket and it's contents cause it to drop? I thought I understood but not sure now. What would one use the such a feature for?
skipmarcy
Veteran Member
As Galen said - if your joystick has the float option, push the stick ahead past the down position and you should feel it click into a detent position - that is the float position. As I said - this allows the 2 boom cylinders to float, yes, your bucket will be on the ground. With your bucket floating on the ground like this with no down pressure other that the weight of all of it you can drive the tractor in reverse dragging your bucket along to smooth whatever out. The curl cylinders will not be in a hydraulic float like the boom cylinders so you can change the angle (curl) that your bucket is resting on the ground and it will stay at that angle as you back drag. Changing the angle of the bucket will change how much material the bucket will drag along and how smooth it will be - you have to experiment with your particular bucket to see the results. Most of the time you'll probably want the bucket close to flat on the ground for final smoothing. On my loader/joystick, I can operate the curl side to side while the stick is in the detented float position to change the curl of the bucket as I go to get the finish I want. Some joysticks may require you to set the curl before you put it in the float position.
